Skip to content
A free, independent guide for parents - updated each admissions cycle. 26,506 schools · England & Wales
catchment.school

Backwell School Catchment Area

Reviewed by the catchment.school editorial team · Last updated 15 March 2026

Backwell School is an academy converter secondary school in Bristol, North Somerset , serving pupils aged 11-18, with 1597 pupils, and a capacity of 1728 places. The school is operating close to capacity, and catchment area boundaries apply when the school is oversubscribed.

11-18

Age range

1,597

Pupils

1,728

Capacity

92%

Fill rate

Good

Ofsted 2020

Backwell School Catchment Area Information

What is the catchment area for Backwell School?

The catchment area for Backwell School is the geographic zone North Somerset uses to prioritise admissions when this secondary school receives more applications than it has places. Children living inside the boundary are ranked higher under the oversubscription criteria, after looked-after children and siblings. North Somerset publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

As an academy, Backwell School sets its own admissions criteria, agreed with North Somerset. The catchment area boundary is defined in the school's annual admissions policy, which may differ from the LA's general school admissions arrangements.

Operating near capacity: 92% of places are currently filled. Catchment boundaries are likely to apply when the school is oversubscribed at the next intake.

Get an alert if Backwell School goes oversubscribed for 2027 →

The official admissions policy, including the catchment boundary map, is published by North Somerset before each admissions cycle. Always verify your address with the council before submitting an application, as boundaries can change year to year.

Find North Somerset catchment area documents →

Backwell School: 1728 places, 92% filled: nearing capacity

Backwell School has a published admission number of 1728 places. 1597 pupils were enrolled in the most recent data, giving a fill rate of 92%. The school is operating close to its limit. In years where applications exceed 1728, North Somerset's admissions team applies distance-based tiebreakers. Families within the school's historical catchment boundary are well placed, but a boundary check with the council is recommended before applying.

The fill-rate figure above reflects overall demand, but the school's intake also varies by community profile. 8.7% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, below the national average. The school draws primarily from a lower-deprivation part of Bristol.

To check whether your home address falls within the historical catchment boundary, use the postcode search tool on this site.

North Somerset publishes its full admissions policy, including oversubscription criteria, the previous year's last-distance figures, and the appeals timetable, on the council's official admissions page. Find North Somerset school admissions →

Backwell School: School Information

Full address
Station Road, Backwell, Bristol, BS48 3BX
Local authority
North Somerset
School type
Academy converter
Phase of education
Secondary
Age range
11-18 years
Admissions policy
Non-selective
Free school meals
8.7% of pupils
DfE URN
136722

Other Secondary Schools in Bristol

If Backwell School is oversubscribed, these secondary schools in Bristol are the next closest alternatives.

Nearest secondary schools by distance

These are the secondary schools closest to Backwell School by straight-line distance, including ones across a town or council boundary. Distance is not the same as being in catchment: always check each school's own admissions policy for its actual boundary.

Frequently Asked Questions: Backwell School

What is the catchment area for Backwell School?

The catchment area for Backwell School is the geographic zone North Somerset uses to prioritise admissions when this secondary school receives more applications than it has places. Children living inside the boundary are ranked higher under the oversubscription criteria, after looked-after children and siblings. North Somerset publishes the exact boundary and the last distance offered before each admissions cycle, and the boundary can change year to year.

Is Backwell School oversubscribed?

Backwell School is operating close to its capacity of 1728 places (92% full). Catchment boundaries are likely to apply when the school is oversubscribed at the next intake.

What is the admissions policy for Backwell School?

Admission to Backwell School is managed by North Somerset. When oversubscribed, places go to looked-after children first, then siblings, then catchment area distance. Always verify the current policy with the council before applying.

What age range does Backwell School cover?

Backwell School is a secondary school in Bristol, North Somerset, serving pupils aged 11-18. For the latest information, visit the school's website or the DfE Get Information About Schools service.

What is the Ofsted rating for Backwell School?

Backwell School was rated Good by Ofsted in 2020. Full inspection reports are available at reports.ofsted.gov.uk.

Get admissions updates by email

Join parents who get catchment boundary changes and key admissions dates - free, once per term.

No spam. Unsubscribe any time.